Pharmaceutical POOL

Dr. Robert CUDDIHY Sanofi-Aventis Adds to Diabetes Team

Sanofi-Aventis U.S. has appointed Robert Cuddihy, M.D., VP, medical diabetes head in the U.S. Dr. Cuddihy is responsible for developing and executing the U.S. medical affairs strategy for Sanofi-Aventis’s diabetes division, including pharmaceuticals, devices, and other technologies. Before joining Sanofi-Aventis U.S., Dr. Cuddihy served as the medical director for several organizations, including the International Diabetes Center at Park-Nicollet. He received a medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and conducted his postdoctoral training at the Maine Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic. Biotechnology POOL Dr. Michael Kauffman Karyopharm Selects experienced Cancer Development Executive as CEO Michael Kauffman, M.D., Ph.D., has been named CEO of Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc., a privately held biotechnology company focused on the development of nuclear transport modulators as therapies for cancer, inflammatory disease, and other conditions. A co-founder of Karyopharm, Dr. Kauffman was most recently chief medical officer of Onyx Pharmaceuticals. He received both an M.D. and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins Medical School. Biopharmaceutical POOL Dr. James APPLEMAN Kevin EASTWOOD Dr. Stelios PAPADOPOULOS Anadys Makes Management Changes Anadys Pharmaceuticals has announced a number of additions and changes to its management team. James Appleman, Ph.D., has been promoted to senior VP, research and chief scientific officer, from senior VP, research. Dr. Appleman continues to be responsible for non-clinical aspects of Anadys’s two drug development candidates. He received a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Oklahoma State University and completed his postdoctoral training at Dartmouth Medical School. Kevin Eastwood has joined Anadys as senior VP, corporate development. Mr. Eastwood has held a number of senior corporate development positions, most recently with Ambrx. Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D., an Anadys co-founder, has been named chairman of the company. He succeeds Steven Holtzman, who has resigned in association with his recent appointment as executive VP, corporate development at Biogen Idec. Dr. Ali FATTOM NanoBio Selects Head of Vaccine R&D Ali Fattom, Ph.D., has joined NanoBio as senior VP of vaccine research and development, leading the company’s nanoemulsion-based intranasal and intramuscular vaccine programs. Dr. Fattom was previously VP of research and early development at Nabi Biopharmaceuticals. He received an M.S. in microbiology from Tel Aviv University and a Ph.D. in microbial ecology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Chris GARABEDIAN AVI BioPharma Makes Leadership Change AVI BioPharma, a biopharmaceutical firm focused on discovery and development of novel RNA-based therapeutics for rare and infectious diseases, has named Chris Garabedian CEO and president. Mr. Garabedian was previously VP of corporate strategy at Celgene.He has served as a director on the AVI BioPharma board since June 2010. He succeeds Interim CEO and President J. David Boyle II, who continues as AVI BioPharma’s chief financial officer and senior VP. John ORWIN Affymax Names CEO Affymax, a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel drugs to improve the treatment of serious and often life-threatening conditions, has appointed President John Orwin to succeed Arlene Morris as CEO. Ms. Morris remains as a consultant to Affymax until September 2011. Specialty POOL Timothy RUANE InSite Vision Selects CEO Ophthalmic specialty company InSite Vision has appointed Timothy Ruane CEO, succeeding Interim CEO Louis Drapeau, who continues as InSite’s chief financial officer. Mr. Ruane most recently served as president and CEO of Tekmira Pharmaceuticals. He earned an executive master of business administration from the University of Washington. Ted SCHWARZ Joe WILLIS SkinMedica Promotes President Skin-care specialty pharmaceutical company SkinMedica has promoted Ted Schwarz to president, from senior VP and general manager. Mary Fisher, formerly president and CEO, retains her role as CEO of SkinMedica. In other moves, Joe Willis has joined SkinMedica as VP, sales and marketing. Mr. Willis has dedicated more than 20 years of his career to the specialty of dermatology in both the medical and aesthetics fields, most recently as general manager of Ortho Dermatologics, a Johnson & Johnson company. Drug-Delivery POOL Gary MAHARAJ SurModics Appoints CEO SurModics, a provider of drug delivery and surface modification technologies, has named Gary Maharaj president and CEO. Mr. Maharaj succeeds Philip Ankeny, who has served as interim CEO since June 2010 and continues as SurModics’ senior VP and chief financial officer. Mr. Maharaj most recently served as president and CEO of Arizant. He holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. He also has an M.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Device/Diagnostic POOL Dr. Prasad SUNKARA Everist Genomics Appoints President and CEO Everist Genomics, a prognostics company focused on developing gene-based molecular assays for the prediction of cancer recurrence, has appointed Prasad Sunkara, Ph.D., president and CEO. Everist recently changed its name from Genetics Squared. Dr. Sunkara succeeds Bill Worzel, who co-founded Everist in 2002 and remains with the company as chief technology officer. He was most recently chairman of Angiologix. Dr. Sunkara received a Ph.D. in microbial biochemistry from Indian Institute of Science. Emerging POOL Dr. Peter LETENDRE Pier Pharmaceuticals Selects CEO Peter Letendre, Pharm.D., has joined Pier Pharmaceuticals as CEO and president, responsible for spearheading the clinical, regulatory, IP, and strategic direction of the company. Pier Pharmaceuticals, formerly known as Steady Sleep Rx, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Letendre was president and founder of Greyhound Pharmaceutical Consulting, chief commercial officer at Replidyne, and divisional VP and general manager of the hypertension and infectious disease franchises at Abbott Laboratories. He received a Pharm.D. from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences. Association POOL Jerzy GRUHN Mark IWICKI Ian READ Staffan SCHUBERG PhRMA Announces Board Members The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has elected four pharmaceutical executives as new members of its board of directors. Jerzy Gruhn serves as president of Novo Nordisk Inc. and senior VP of Novo Nordisk North America, having joined the U.S. business in 2008. Mark Iwicki has served as president and chief operating officer of Sepracor – now named Sunovion Pharmaceuticals – since February 2010. He was responsible for guiding Sepracor through its acquisition by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma (DSP). Ian Read was recently named president and CEO of Pfizer, after serving as senior VP, Pfizer, and group president of the worldwide biopharmaceutical businesses, which he led from 2006 through December 2010. Staffan Schuberg has served as president of Lundbeck Inc. since November 2010. Mr. Schuberg has held various positions within Lundbeck over the course of several years. Agency POOL Ty CURRAN Harrison and Star Announces ­Leadership Transition Harrison and Star has appointed President Ty Curran to the additional role of CEO as part of Co-Founder Larry Star’s plan to retire at the end of 2012. Mr. Star, along with Co-Founder Tom Harrison, will retain the role of chairman. Mr. Curran, a 12-year veteran of Harrison and Star, also is president and CEO of Harrison and Star’s sister agency, Biolumina. Paul HYDZIK Eric LOEB Todd TRELEVEN Purohit Navigation Adds Account, Creative Staff Purohit Navigation, a full-service, independent integrated healthcare brand solutions company, has appointed Paul Hydzik VP, account services, with responsibility for overseeing the direction of Purohit’s account services department and acting as a mentor for all account services staff. Before joining Purohit, Mr. Hydzik was director, brand marketing at Hyco Worldwide. He obtained a Masters of Business Administration—Marketing at Regis University. In other staff moves, Eric Loeb has joined Purohit as senior copywriter. Mr. Loeb was previously with Corbett Worldwide Healthcare. Todd Treleven has been named senior art director. Mr. Treleven has worked on major brands for a variety of big-name advertising agencies. Doug MILLS Dan SMITH Victor ZAMBROTTA GSW Worldwide announces promotions Global healthcare agency GSW Worldwide has announced a number of executive promotions in its Columbus, Ohio, office. Doug Mills has been promoted to chief operating officer, from executive VP, account services. Dan Smith has been named president of GSW’s Columbus operations. He has served as co-leader in the Columbus office for the past two years, overseeing account and creative services. Victor Zambrotta has been elevated to executive VP, head of client services, assuming leadership of the account services department. Mr. Zambrotta was previously senior VP, group account director. Ellen SCHNEIDER Dudnyk Forms Professional Services Department Independent healthcare agency Dudnyk has promoted Ellen Schneider to VP in charge of its newly created professional services department, composed of research and editorial, traffic, and corporate communications. Ms. Schneider has served as managing editor at Dudnyk for five years. Linda SZYPER Sam WELCH PHCG Expands Executive Roles Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG) has announced new responsibilities for two key executives. Chief Development Officer Linda Szyper, who has been with PHCG since 1999, has assumed leadership responsibilities for PHCG’s strategy and analytics group and Cortex Healthcare Marketing. Ms. Szyper continues to lead PHCG’s global business development efforts. Sam Welch has been appointed president of North America advertising, from his previous position as chief operating officer of North America. Mr. Welch’s responsibilities include enhancing and embedding the capabilities of Integrated Services and In-Sync into PHCG’s global offering. Consulting POOL Dr. David DE GRAAF New Chief Executive at Selventa Selventa, a provider of scientific consulting services, has promoted Chief Scientific Officer David de Graaf, Ph.D., to president and CEO. Dr. de Graaf’s responsibilities include leading the Selventa team in its partnerships with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as select academic institutions collaborations. Dr. de Graaf received an M.S. in evolutionary genetics from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands and a Ph.D. in mammalian genetics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Manny TZAVLAKIS Huron Promotes Life-Sciences ­Managing Director Huron Consulting Group has promoted Manny Tzavlakis to managing director in the company’s Life Sciences Advisory Services area. Mr. Tzavlakis was previously director. He specifically works with pharmaceutical and medical device companies, focusing on matters related to disclosure reporting, aggregate spend, transparency, sales and marketing compliance, commercial operations, change management services, and business analytics/predictive modeling. CRO POOL Alan FINDLATER Howard MOODY Wil Research Adds Two Officers Privately held global CRO Wil Research has appointed Alan Findlater chief commercial officer. Mr. Findlater is responsible for developing and executing a global business development and marketing strategy that strengthens client relationships and expands market share through increased coverage of client needs across all geographies. He joins Wil Research from Covance, where he most recently was global VP of sales and client services. In other moves, Wil Research has named Howard Moody chief information officer, overseeing the development and execution of an information technology strategy that improves client service, increases efficiency, and expands enterprise value. Mr. Moody most recently served as chief information officer for MDS Pharma Services. He has an M.S. in computer science from the University of Wisconsin. Kevin GOUDREAU DaVita Promotes Development VP DaVita Clinical Research (DCR), a provider of clinical research and central laboratory services, has promoted Kevin Goudreau to VP of development. Mr. Goudreau is responsible for all aspects of commercial development for DCR. He received an MBA from Anna Maria College. Service POOL Vincent AURENTZ Quintiles Creates Customer ­Solutions Business Quintiles has appointed Vincent Aurentz executive VP, customer solutions business, to head a newly formed unit of dedicated customer teams delivering customized solutions across Quintiles’ global businesses – clinical, commercial, capital and consulting. Mr. Aurentz brings more than 20 years of experience in the biopharma industry, most recently as executive VP of portfolio development for Merck Serono. John CLINE New Chief Executive at unithink unithink, a provider of customized e-clinical solutions to pharmaceutical and biotech clients, has named John Cline CEO. Mr. Cline joins unithink after successful stints at National Clinical Research and etrials, where he was a founder and CEO. Joe FALCON Anna MCCLAFFERTY Thomas (T.J.) SCOTT TGaS Advisors Strengthens Advisory Team TGaS Advisors, a benchmarking and advisory services firm for pharmaceutical commercial operations and a division of KnowledgePoint360, has added three senior-level advisors. Joe Falcon has been named VP, management advisor, for the managed markets practice. Mr. Falcon was previously senior VP and practice leader, managed markets, with Euro RSCG Life. Anna McClafferty has joined TGaS as VP, management advisor, overseeing the company’s marketing sciences, global marketing, and executive commercial operations practices. Ms. McClafferty was most recently a senior VP at GlaxoSmithKline. Thomas “T.J." Scott has been named director, management advisor, for the marketing sciences solution. Before joining TGaS, Mr. Scott spent more than two decades heading analytics teams at various pharmaceutical companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca. Kevin GUTHRIE Lodestone Bolsters Leadership Team Lodestone Solutions has named Kevin Guthrie VP and general manager to provide strategic direction for the future growth and expansion of the healthcare intelligence organization. Mr. Guthrie was VP of marketing, sales, and operations for Solvay Pharmaceuticals. Todd HUTCHINGS New Life Sciences Lead at Egon ­Zehnder International Todd Hutchings has assumed leadership of the North American life sciences practice group of executive search firm Egon Zehnder International (EZI). Mr. Hutchings succeeds Peter Levin, who continues at EZI in an active client-facing role recruiting CEOs and C-Level executives. Mr. Hutchings holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. Technology POOL Dr. Joel MORGANROTH ERT Appoints Chairman as Interim CEO ERT, a global provider of technology and services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries, has tapped Chairman Joel Morganroth, M.D., to serve as president and CEO following the retirement of Dr. Michael McKelvey. Dr. Morganroth will serve in these roles until ERT hires a permanent CEO. Pharmaceutical POOL Joaquin DUATO Alex GORSKY Michael MAHONEY Sheri MCCOY Dr. Paul STOFFELS Jesse WU Johnson & Johnson AddS ­Executives to Chairman’s Office Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced a number of leadership changes, including the promotion of two executives to the position of vice chairman, where they join J&J Chairman and CEO William Weldon within an expanded office of the chairman. Joaquin Duato, formerly pharmaceuticals company group chairman, Americas, has been named worldwide chairman, pharmaceuticals, with responsibility for commercial businesses and operations. Mr. Duato was appointed as company group chairman for North America in March 2009 and assumed addi ional responsibility for Latin America in 2010. Alex Gorsky, currently worldwide chairman, medical devices & diagnostics (MD&D), has been named vice chairman of the executive committee. Mr. Gorsky assumes expanded responsibilities that include the MD&D group, global supply chain, government affairs & policy and the Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation. Succeeding Mr. Gorsky as worldwide chairman, MD&D, is Michael Mahoney, who was previously company group chairman, DePuy. Sheri McCoy, currently worldwide chairman, pharmaceuticals, has been appointed vice chairman of the executive committee. Ms. McCoy assumes expanded responsibilities that include the pharmaceuticals group, consumer group, the corporate office of science & technology, and corporate affairs. Paul Stoffels, M.D., has been promoted to worldwide chairman, pharmaceuticals, with responsibility for research and development, business development, and strategic development. Dr. Stoffels had served as global head of pharmaceutical research & development for J&J since May 2009. Jesse Wu has been promoted to worldwide chairman, consumer, from his previous role as company group chairman, global markets organization, consumer. Mr. Wu joined J&J in 1989 and has held a number of leadership positions across the consumer group. Biotechnology POOL Steven HOLTZMAN Dr. Douglas WILLIAMS New VPs Join Biogen Idec Biogen Idec, a global biotechnology company with a focus on neurological disorders, has added two executives to its leadership team. Steven Holtzman has been named executive VP, corporate development. Mr. Holtzman is responsible for overseeing corporate strategy, business development, portfolio management, program leadership, and the new ventures fund. Mr. Holtzman joins Biogen Idec from Infinity Pharmaceuticals, where he was a founder and, most recently, executive chair of Infinity’s board of directors. Douglas Williams, Ph.D., has joined Biogen Idec as executive VP, research and development. Dr. Williams’ responsibilities include overseeing the company’s global R&D operation, including discovery research, development, clinical operations, and regulatory affairs. He most recently served as CEO of ZymoGenetics until the company’s acquisition by Bristol-Myers Squibb in November 2010. Dr. Williams holds a Ph.D. in physiology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Young KWON Former Biogen Idec Executive Joins Momenta Momenta Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company specializing in the characterization and engineering of complex drugs, has appointed Young Kwon, Ph.D., VP of business development. Dr. Kwon was previously senior director, business development, at Biogen Idec. He received a Ph.D. in biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology from Harvard University. Dr. Charles TACKNEY MabCure Hires Scientific Chief Charles Tackney, Ph.D., has joined oncology-focused biotechnology company MabCure as chief scientific officer. Dr. Tackney previously held the same position at NeuroMark Genomics. He earned a Ph.D. in molecular genetics from the City University of New York and was awarded a postdoctoral research fellowship from the Damon Runyon Foundation at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Biopharmaceutical POOL Dr. Linda AMPER Gregory PAPAZ Dr. Hemal SHAH Dr. John WOMELSDORF Optimer Expands Management Team Optimer Pharmaceuticals has added three VPs to its executive roster as the biopharmaceutical company prepares for the potential launch of its lead anti-infective product candidate, fidaxomicin. Linda Amper, Ph.D., has joined Optimer as senior VP of human resources, from the same position at OSI Pharmaceuticals (now Astellas Pharma). Dr. Amper holds a Ph.D. in philosophy, health administration from Columbia Southern and a masters of public administration with a specialization in healthcare from C.W. Post College. Optimer has appointed Gregory Papaz senior VP of commercial operations, with responsibility for leading preparations for the planned commercialization of fidaxomicin. Mr. Papaz has more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry managing pharmaceutical sales teams, most recently as rheumatology sales director, commercial marketing at Genentech. He received an MBA from the Johnson School of Business at Cornell University. Hemal Shah, Pharm.D., has been named senior VP of health, economics and outcomes research (HEOR). Dr. Shah joins Optimer after more than a decade in HEOR at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, most recently as executive director. Dr. Shah received her doctor of pharmacy from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. John Womelsdorf, Ph.D., was appointed VP of business development. Dr. Womelsdorf has more than 15 years of experience in business development roles at Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Roche, Baxter International, and, most recently, with his own consulting firm. He received an MBA from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the Stevens Institute of Technology. Dr. James AUDIA Constellation Hires Former Lilly ­Executive as Scientific Chief Constellation Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing new drugs targeting epigenetic regulation of the human genome, has named James Audia, Ph.D., chief scientific officer. Dr. Audia joins Constellation following a 23-year tenure in drug discovery at Lilly, most recently as a distinguished Lilly scholar,? the highest level on the company’s scientific ladder. He earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of South Carolina and did postdoctoral training at Yale University. J. Kevin BUCHI Cephalon Taps Operating Chief as CEO Global biopharmaceutical company Cephalon has promoted J. Kevin Buchi to CEO. Mr. Buchi was previously Cephalon’s chief operating officer and assumed day-to-day chief executive responsibilities for the company in August 2010. Dr. Trevor HALLAM Sutro Appoints Scientific Chief Sutro Biopharma, a biopharmaceutical company developing protein therapeutics with improved pharmaceutical properties, has named Trevor Hallam, Ph.D., chief scientific officer. Dr. Hallam leads the application of Sutro’s proprietary protein biochemical synthesis platform for the research and development of novel and biosuperior therapeutics. Dr. Hallam brings to Sutro more than 25 years of experience in drug discovery and development. Most recently, he was executive VP of research and development and executive officer at Palatin Technologies. He received a Ph.D. in biochemistry from King’s College, University of London, and conducted his postdoctoral training in the physiological laboratory at the University of Cambridge. Dr. Greg RIGDON Icagen Shifts Development ­Leadership Icagen has announced that Greg Rigdon, Ph.D., VP, new product development, has assumed leadership responsibility for the biopharmaceutical company’s clinical development efforts following the departure of Senior VP, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, Seth Hetherington, M.D. Dr. Rigdon has served as Icagen’s new product development VP since 2001. He holds a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Icagen is focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel orally administered small-molecule drugs that modulate ion channel targets. J. Craig THOMPSON New Commercial Chief at Trius Trius Therapeutics has appointed J. Craig Thompson chief commercial officer, with initial responsibility for developing the commercial strategy, positioning, and planning for the potential launch of torezolid phosphate, a second-generation oxazolidinone in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. Before joining Trius, Mr. Thompson was VP of marketing for Pfizer’s specialty care business unit. Specialty POOL Dr. Anne PHILLIPS Former GlaxoSmithKline VP Joins Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company focusing on diabetes care, has appointed Anne Phillips, M.D., VP, clinical development, medical and regulatory affairs for North America. Dr. Phillips leads the North American clinical development and medical affairs activities across the diabetes and biopharmaceutical franchises, as well as regulatory affairs and medical operations. Dr. Phillips comes to Novo Nordisk after more than a decade at GlaxoSmithKline, where she most recently served as VP, medicine development leader within GSK’s oncology R&D organization. She received a medical degree from the University of Toronto and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. Mark STROBECK New Business Chief at Topaz Topaz Pharmaceuticals, a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology and pediatrics, has named Mark Strobeck, Ph.D., VP and chief business officer. Most recently, Dr. Strobeck served as chief business officer of Trevena. He earned a Ph.D. in pharmacology and cell biophysics from the University of Cincinnati and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Device/Diagnostic POOL William (Bill) WELCH Sequenom Appoints Diagnostics VP Sequenom has named William (Bill) Welch senior VP of diagnostics, with responsibility for all commercial aspects of the business. Most recently, Mr. Welch served as senior VP and chief commercial officer at Monogram Biosciences. Sequenom uses genetic analysis solutions to develop innovative technology, products, and diagnostic tests that target and serve discovery and clinical research and molecular diagnostics markets. Generic POOL Robert LOEWENSTEIN Amneal Hires General Counsel Generic drug company Amneal Pharmaceuticals has appointed Robert Loewenstein, Esq., general counsel/senior VP. Mr. Loewenstein was previously a member of the law firm Budd Larner, P.C. He received a law degree from Brooklyn Law School and an LLM in taxation from New York University School of Law. Emerging POOL Carl FOSTER Cempra Strengthens Business ­Development Team Cempra Pharmaceuticals a privately-held, clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing antibacterials to address critical medical needs, has named Carl Foster executive VP of business development. Mr. Foster is focusing on business development activities related to the company’s two lead antibiotic programs, both of which are in Phase II clinical trials. He joins Cempra from European-based genomics company Jurilab, where he served as CEO. Eva JACK Pulmatrix Appoints Business Chief Pulmatrix, a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing a new class of therapies for the prevention, treatment, and control of respiratory diseases, has named Eva Jack chief business officer. Ms. Jack provides strategic leadership as Pulmatrix begins business development efforts around its portfolio of proprietary inhaled cationic airway lining modulator (iCALM) drugs and pulmonary drug delivery platform. Ms. Jack most recently served as managing director at MedImmune Ventures, the corporate venture fund of MedImmune. She received a masters of health science from Johns Hopkins University. Kenneth VAN NESS New CEO at CytoDyn CytoDyn has selected Kenneth Van Ness as president and CEO as the company continues to move forward in developing its monoclonal antibody, Cytolin, for the treatment of HIV/ AIDS. Mr. Van Ness, a member of CytoDyn’s board, succeeds Allen Allen, who remains CytoDyn’s chairman. Regulatory POOL Curtis COY Segundo PEREIRA John TAYLOR FDA Announces Staff Changes The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced several new appointments as it conducts a review of certain functions and positions to ensure agency efficiency. Curtis Coy has joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as acting deputy commissioner for administration, succeeding the retiring Russ Abbott. Mr. Coy most recently served as deputy assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families at Health and Human Services (HHS). Segundo Pereira has been appointed acting director of the FDA Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) office within the agency’s Office of Administration. Mr. Pereira was previously deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Diversity Management and EEO at HHS. In addition, Counselor to the Commissioner John Taylor has been tapped by FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to serve as acting principal deputy commissioner following the departure of Joshua Sharfstein, who now runs the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. CRO POOL Dr. Miroslav BAÃKONJA New Medical Director for Lifetree’s Neuroscience Research Center Lifetree Clinical Research has announced the appointment of Miroslav Baãkonja, M.D., as medical director for Lifetree Center for Neuroscience Research. Lifetree Clinical Research formed the center in 2008 to support the further development of new drug candidates for the treatment of central nervous system diseases and peripheral nervous system disorders. Dr. Baãkonja is currently professor of neurology, anesthesiology and rehabilitation medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and a staff physician at the University of Wisconsin and Pain Treatment and Research Center. He also serves on the editorial boards of a number of clinical journals focused on pain and has served as a regular and an ad-hoc reviewer for the U.S. National Institutes of Health and international governmental agencies. Catherine DERASP PharmaNet Adds VP to Phase I ­Operations PharmaNet Development Group, a provider of clinical development services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, generic drug, and medical device companies, has hired Catherine Derasp as VP, clinical operations of the company’s Phase I clinics. Ms. Derasp oversees the management of PharmaNet’s 350-bed Phase I clinical operations in Montreal and Quebec City, Canada. She is also responsible for a variety of studies in special populations, cardiac safety testing, and drug-drug interaction studies. Ms. Derasp is a registered nurse and has more than 15 years of experience working for Phase I clinical research organizations in various leadership roles, including managing global multisite operations with specialization in operational quality and process improvement. Dr. Xiaozhou MA WCC Strengthens 3D Imaging Team WorldCare Clinical (WCC), an imaging CRO for clinical trials in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries, has appointed Xiaozhou Ma, M.D., associate director of quantification and 3D imaging. Dr. Ma oversees the development and implementation of imaging analysis solutions for quantification of clinical imaging studies. Before joining WCC, Dr. Ma worked as an imaging fellow at the Tumor Imaging Metrics Core, a central core lab funded by Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and 3D Imaging Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital Imaging. He holds a medical degree in clinical medicine from the Capital University of Medical Sciences in Beijing and an RDMS certificate from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Media POOL Dr. DeLiang WANG Elsevier Names Co-Editor of Neural Networks Elsevier, a global publisher of scientific, technical, and medical information products and solutions, has appointed DeLiang Wang, Ph.D., co-editor-in-chief of its Neural Networks journal. Dr. Wang, a professor in the department of computer science and engineering from The Ohio State University, succeeds the journal’s founding editor, Stephen Grossberg. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. Service POOL Rick FINNEGAN inVentiv Health Bolsters ­International Leadership inVentiv Health, a provider of end-to-end clinical development, launch, and commercialization services to the global healthcare industry, has appointed Rick Finnegan executive VP of international business in the company’s commercial services division. Mr. Finnegan brings to inVentiv more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, most recently as senior VP of specialty pharmaceuticals for the Central/Eastern European division of Glenmark Therapeutics, a specialty pharmaceutical company based in Mumbai, India. Dr. Nathan PIENKOWSKI Pharmaceutical Institute Expands Course Design Team Pharmaceutical Institute, a subsidiary of Campbell Alliance that provides specialized training solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, has appointed Nathan Pienkowski, Ph.D., instructional design director. Dr. Pienkowski oversees the instructional quality of Pharmaceutical Institute’s customized and commercially available training courses. Dr. Pienkowski has 15 years experience in course development, training, and learning technology development within the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. He most recently served as a senior-level management consultant and principal of a consulting firm dedicated to education and training. He received both a doctorate and a master’s degree in instructional systems design from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). Technology POOL Keith HOWELLS OmniComm Systems Names ­Engineering VP OmniComm Systems, a provider of EDC and e-clinical tools, has appointed Keith Howells VP of engineering, with responsibility for the ongoing development of TrialMaster, eClinical, and TrialOne product lines. Mr. Howells was previously senior VP of development for Medidata Solutions.

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